Principal Configuration Engineer

Job Description:

Principal Configuration Engineer

Your impact

What if every design decision on a complex defence programme had to stand up to scrutiny — and you were the one safeguarding its integrity?

As a Principal Configuration Engineer within Integrated Sensing and Protection, you’ll operate at project level to ensure robust Configuration Management (CM) and Product Data Management (PDM) controls are embedded across the full lifecycle. Based in Basildon, this hybrid role includes occasional travel to other Leonardo UK sites as required.

What you will do as Principal Configuration Engineer:

• Author and maintain Configuration Management Plans

• Review and interpret customer CM and PDM requirements

• Define configuration requirements derived from customer, company and design needs

• Manage CM activities within the company PDM system (Teamcenter)

• Chair and manage Configuration Control Boards (CCBs), including representing CM at international forums where required

• Produce and report CM metrics at project level

• Deploy and manage Configuration Verification & Audit (CV&A) activities across lifecycle phases

• Manage Configuration Status Accounting (CSA) activities, including validation, reporting, KPI support and partner/sub-contractor integration

• Provide CM guidance across the business to ensure strong product design and build standard control

This is a senior-level role with significant visibility, influencing governance, compliance and programme delivery across complex engineering projects.

What you’ll bring

We are seeking an experienced Configuration professional with deep technical capability in regulated engineering environments.

• Extensive experience in Configuration Management and Planning aligned to international CM standards

• Strong expertise in Configuration Identification, Change Management, Status Accounting and Verification & Audit

• Proven experience chairing and managing Configuration Control Boards

• Experience managing CM within a PDM environment, ideally Siemens Teamcenter

• Ability to derive and implement configuration requirements from customer and contractual documentation

• Experience producing and analysing CM metrics and KPIs

• Experience supporting audits, lifecycle reviews and external stakeholder reporting

• Ability to operate at project level and influence cross-functional stakeholders, including senior management

This is not an exhaustive list, and we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the above. The most important skill is a good attitude and willingness to learn.

Security Clearance

This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS).

An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply. This could include meeting the eligibility requirements for Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV).

For more information and guidance please visit:
https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting

Why join us

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development and work–life balance.

• Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.

• Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.

• Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice and employee-led inclusion networks.

• Rewarding Performance: Employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.

• Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.

• Refer a Friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.

• Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.

• Flexible Working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part-time opportunities, talk to us about what might be possible for this role.

For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.

Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety. At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know. Be part of something bigger - apply now!

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Contract Type:

Hybrid Working: